Product – Inside BlackBerryhttp://blogs.blackberry.com
The Official BlackBerry BlogFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:31:58 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/b404bd76bdce530326a3db3e9a60a43d?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngProduct – Inside BlackBerryhttp://blogs.blackberry.com
From WatchDox to Workspaces: Five Ways BlackBerry’s Building Better Secure File Sharinghttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/from-watchdox-to-workspaces-five-ways-blackberrys-building-better-secure-file-sharing/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/from-watchdox-to-workspaces-five-ways-blackberrys-building-better-secure-file-sharing/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:44:13 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=37235/ Read More]]>In 2015, we acquired WatchDox, the leading enterprise secure file sharing and synchronization platform. In the time since, we’ve been hard at work integrating it into our own portfolio, with a number of improvements, enhancements, and new releases along the way. Our hard work has paid off – we’ve been recognized twice as a visionary in Gartner’s EFSS Magic Quadrant and also as a leader in Forrester’s EFSS Wave report.

Today, we’re taking the next step in our integration: from here forward, WatchDox will be known as BlackBerry Workspaces, based around our BlackBerry Secure technology. BlackBerry Secure is one of the tangible representations of our transition to a software-focused company. It underpins everything we offer your enterprise to manage and secure your mobile devices, connected things, communications, and files.

Our Workspaces update is more than just a new coat of paint, however. We’ve added new features that make the best secure file sharing solution on the market even better. Changes in the Workspaces release include:

Take Control of Version Control Through File Locking

There’s an old saying that applies all too well to version management: “too many cooks spoil the broth.” When multiple users make edits to the same document, figuring out which to apply, which to discard, and which conflict with each other can be a nightmare. With the new release of Workspaces, this is a thing of the past.

Users who are permitted to upload new versions of a file can be permitted to ‘lock’ it, preventing anyone else from making edits at the same time as them. This reduces duplication of effort, eliminates the risk of losing recent document edits, and makes version control simpler than ever before.

Given the choice between an oven with only a few buttons and one with a hundred-page owner’s manual, most people would choose the former. If a tool is unintuitive, people aren’t going to use it. That’s why our latest Workspaces release includes usability enhancements to make secure collaboration simpler than ever before, such as:

Mark files as Favorites, and use Quick Access Filters such as Favorites and Recent Locations to quickly track down documents.

Keep track of activity on files you’ve shared with your colleagues through Collaboration Mode, and access previous versions of a file through your mobile device.

Edit and collaborate on files in place using the tools you already know with native integration to Office 365.

Take a Load off IT With Easier Deployment & Integration

We’ve taken measures to make things easier for IT, as well. Workspaces can now be managed from the same admin console as the rest of our software, including BlackBerry Work, Blackberry UEM, and any BlackBerry Dynamics apps you’ve deployed. We’ve also developed new connectors for Windows File Shares, OneDrive, and SharePoint Online, meanwhile. This will allow you to extend Workspaces’ protection to even more of your repositories, while simultaneously making it better equipped to work with the systems your clients and partners are already familiar with.

Speaking of clients and partners, we’re making it easier to deploy and manage Workspaces on premises. Workspaces provides ultra-secure deployment of EFSS with App-X, a virtual appliance which customers can use to deploy Workspaces in their own private cloud.

Enjoy Better Visibility & User Management

Along with our improvements to deployment and integration, we’ve also made management of Workspaces users easier for IT. You can now generate more detailed licensing reports by inputting a list of your company’s internal email domains in the admin console. This report is separated into internal contributors, internal visitors, external contributors, and external visitors.

User deletion is also improved, and to ensure someone’s always in control, workplace administrators cannot be removed – only replaced.

Finally, integration of Workspaces into the Content Edition of BlackBerry’s Enterprise Mobility Suites means it’s more than just an app – it’s a platform service. From a development standpoint, you can now easily incorporate Workspaces’ core functionality into applications developed through BlackBerry Dynamics. You have the flexibility to use Workspaces however you want, whether that’s to provide secure document sharing in a healthcare app or file collaboration in a remote desktop tool.

At BlackBerry, security is in our blood – we’ve over a decade of expertise, and have leveraged our proven leadership to transform both our company and software platform. BlackBerry Workspaces is just one facet of that transformation. Combining an easy, intuitive user experience with unique, data-centric architecture, Workspaces is built to meet the needs of your organization, IT team, and users, whatever they may be.

When you’re trying to deploy a new application within your organization, the last thing you want is for it to get bogged down in an argument about security. Yet that’s precisely what happens in many businesses, time and again. On one side, you’ve got business leaders who just want to better enable themselves and their employees, and developers who just want to build great apps.

On the other, you’ve got the IT department acting as the proverbial stick-in-the-mud.

Like it or not, they’re right. Consider, for example, what happens to a file containing protected health information if an employee moves it out of a healthcare app to Dropbox. Consider the cost to your organization if a business-critical application has its data hijacked and transferred to an overseas server.

You need to establish a security baseline for your enterprise applications, a challenge BlackBerry is uniquely qualified to address. A key component of our new BlackBerry Secure platform, BlackBerry Dynamics is an advanced, mature development platform and container for mobile apps. Designed to eliminate the risk of data leakage with proven security at the app level, it’s one of the best tools on the market for the efficient creation and integration of enterprise apps, workflows, and business processes.

There are several reasons why:

It Provides the Best Security on the Market

BlackBerry Dynamics provides the gold standard for securing mobile applications. Built from the industry- and analyst- recognized BlackBerry Dynamics secure container, it containerizes your applications at the software level. This sets it apart from most approaches, which rely on device-level encryption, leading to inconsistent security and greatly increasing the risk of a leak.

It Protects Every App You Need

Any application built using the BlackBerry Dynamics Software Development Kit automatically inherits Dynamics’ strong protections of both in-transit and at-rest data while also conforming to existing security policies. Moreover, it enables secure data exchange between applications, allowing you to implement business processes that use multiple apps or systems. Dynamics lets you roll out a wide range of new apps, without having to worry if doing so puts your data at risk.

In addition to internally-built custom apps, BlackBerry Dynamics supports leading mobile apps from hundreds of different ISVs.

It’s Built for Reliability

Like all BlackBerry’s offerings, Dynamics is built with the needs of enterprise customers in mind. It’s highly-scalable, supporting up to 20,000 users per server. It is also architected for high-availability and disaster recovery with unprecedented flexibility to match the topology of almost any data center. This allows it to support even the most demanding enterprises without pause.

It Offers Robust and Powerful Development Tools

The BlackBerry Dynamics SDK is designed to help you quickly and efficiently build whatever applications your business needs, integrating any BlackBerry service (ie. Workspaces, UEM, etc.) into your application via a platform-as-a-service model. Your devs can build apps using the developer tools and methodologies you’re most familiar with, and Shared Services allows developers to quickly assemble new apps by tapping into the functions and features of existing applications. End result?

Less time spent on development busywork, and more time spent on innovation.

It Makes App Deployment More Flexible Than Ever

In addition to supporting on-premises, cloud, and hybrid app deployment models, BlackBerry Dynamics allows businesses to securely deliver data and apps to devices they don’t control. That includes devices used by business partners, customers, and independent contractors. It’s able to do this because it can be deployed without an MDM solution – meaning it’s more convenient for your IT department and less intrusive for external and internal employees alike.

BlackBerry Dynamics is more than just a security tool – it’s a market-leading platform that lets you build apps faster while focusing on their unique interfaces and business logic. Through an advanced, mature, and tested mobile app container, it eliminates the risk of data leakage via apps. And thanks to its flexibility and powerful set of development tools, it can support whatever applications, workflows, and business processes necessary to protect your organization, and move it into a new era of connected devices – a true “Enterprise of Things.”

With BlackBerry Dynamics, no one needs to be a stick-in-the-mud – everyone gets to focus on what they do best, without having to worry about whether or not they’re putting themselves at risk.

As security shifts from the network of computers to the network of endpoints, IT managers and traditional security software players are scrambling to keep up. Today’s enterprise networks are both expansive and rapidly growing, with laptop and desktop PCs, tablets and smartphones, wearables, and an emerging tsunami of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. To address this new security landscape, IT needs a centralized, unified approach to endpoint management – one that doesn’t add complexity or extra work for already-overburdened IT professionals.

BlackBerry is uniquely qualified to provide just such an approach. We’re pleased to introduce BlackBerry Unified Endpoint Manager (BlackBerry UEM, formerly known as BES12), designed to provide comprehensive visibility and control across your endpoint environment – including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. BlackBerry UEM reflects the unification of BlackBerry’s BES12 and Good Dynamics platforms into a single architecture, delivering unified endpoint management, industry-leading security, and a reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) for your organization.

BlackBerry UEM: An Evolutionary Step in Endpoint Management

Years ago, we pioneered the mobile device management (MDM) category with BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES), but as the diversity, volume, and capabilities of mobile devices increased, it became obvious that device-level protection was no longer sufficient to meet the demands of IT managers. So we pushed the market forward with BES12, our cross-platform enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution, which we further enhanced with leading secure mobility solutions through our acquisitions of Good Technology, WatchDox, AtHoc, Secusmart, and other industry innovators.

BlackBerry UEM represents the next, evolutionary step in our mission to secure not just mobile devices, operating systems, apps, and data, but the full Enterprise of Things with unified endpoint management (UEM). BlackBerry UEM converges device, application, and content management for mobile devices with management for laptops and desktops into one administrative console, providing a single point of control for endpoints, apps, and services. And with support for all major platforms, including iOS, Android (including Android for Work and Samsung Knox), BlackBerry 10, Windows 10, and MacOS, your users can use the devices they prefer for productivity, without sacrificing security.

A Complete Solution for Secure Enterprise Productivity

BlackBerry UEM is the foundation of the BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite, the most comprehensive set of integrated solutions to protect your business data and boost workforce productivity available.

From a single console, BlackBerry UEM offers unified administration for: BlackBerry Dynamics (formerly known as Good Dynamics) for access to best-in-class secure productivity apps and development tools from BlackBerry; BlackBerry Workspaces (formerly known as WatchDox), our leading secure content collaboration solution; BlackBerry Enterprise Identity, which extends single sign-on to cloud services such as Office 365; and BlackBerry 2FA (formerly known as Strong Authentication), which enables two-factor authentication to enterprise services while eliminating the need for legacy token solutions.

With the BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite and BlackBerry UEM, you can streamline administration and enhance compliance, while arming your employees with best-in-class business productivity tools.

Key Enhancements with BlackBerry UEM

If you’re an existing BES12 or Good Dynamics customer, you can be assured of a seamless upgrade to BlackBerry UEM, which updates our existing BES12 solution. BlackBerry UEM offers a number of new features, including:

BlackBerry Gatekeeping Service support for BlackBerry Work (formerly known as Good Work) streamlines Exchange ActiveSync access.

App catalog enhancements include app ratings and reviews to simplify end user app discovery, as well as the ability to access the UEM app catalog directly from the BlackBerry Dynamics Launcher.

Activation type-specific passwords provide greater flexibility for enabling endpoints with different ownership models. This feature enables users to self-enroll corporate or personal devices with the appropriate activation type for each device.

Continued iOS enhancements include Lost mode to remotely lock and locate devices, Wi-Fi Quality of Service (QoS) marking to configure apps with prioritized access to Wi-Fi networks, Managed Safari domains to simplify intranet access for users, enrollment via Apple Configurator for devices that are not enabled for Apple DEP support, support for AppConfig schema to simplify app deployment (BlackBerry is a member of the App Config Community), and app whitelisting/blacklisting for supervised devices.

Android for Work Accounts support removes the requirement for the creation of a Google domain for Android for Work. Enrollment will require only a username and activation password.

Expanded IT policy supportfor Android for Work, including the ability to manage a password for the Android for Work profile, independent of the device, for enhanced workspace protection.

Regulated enhancements include SMS, MMS, and Call Logging for corporate-liable Android for Work and Knox Workspace devices, as well as the ability to deploy BlackBerry UEM in a “dark site” configuration for specific government and high-security scenarios in which external connectivity is prohibited (supported for Samsung Knox Workspace and BlackBerry 10).

Modern employees now frequently work away from their desk, and enterprises are fast recognizing the need for 360-degree security architecture to support the myriad devices and connections that result. Mobility and wearable technology represent a powerful opportunity, but only if a business can address the exponential acceleration of threats that come with them. To enable remote workers to better do their jobs, enterprises require a means of replicating the desktop experience on smartphones, tablets, and wearables – but it needs to be secure.

Enter BlackBerry. As part of BlackBerry Secure – the foundation of our new enterprise software platform – we’ve constructed a set of powerful apps designed to integrate seamlessly with your business’s existing solutions, including Microsoft Exchange and Skype for Business. These built-for-enterprise apps work together to streamline mobile collaboration so work can be completed anytime and anywhere—all from one place.

Built on BlackBerry Dynamics, the industry-leading solution for securing mobile apps, they enable your workforce to stay fully productive while eliminating the threat of data leakage. Let’s take a look at what these apps deliver:

All-In-One Business Productivity: BlackBerry Work

Formerly known as Good Work, BlackBerry Work is the best-in-class all-in-one enterprise productivity app that provides employees with integrated email, calendar, contacts, presence, document access, document editing, and more. With countless features such as contact photos and status, the ability to join meetings with one tap, full contact management and VIP notifications, and the ability to run presentations from mobile, you can be sure that every business process that can be done on desktop can now be done on the go.

Unlike consumer grade apps, BlackBerry Work is built for the business user. Designed to offer a consistent user experience across any device, it allows employees to communicate effectively from anywhere, whether it be at work, home, on the road—the possibilities are endless.

BlackBerry Work features a mobile desktop, the BlackBerry Dynamics Launcher, so that everything can be done from one place. Users can move through workflows and complete any business task without the need to open and close applications. They can switch from email, to meetings, to document access, edit and sharing, seamlessly—all it takes is a couple of taps. BlackBerry leverages over 20 years of IT investment in collaboration technologies, so you can be sure that your users are equipped with business tools to maximize their productivity.

We’ve added a few new features to BlackBerry Work, as well:

Shared calendars for joint calendar management and team facilitation

Voice control for the visually-impaired;

App analytics so that IT can gain insight into app activity

Corporate Resources Anywhere, Anytime: BlackBerry Access

BlackBerry Access is the enterprise browsing solution for secure corporate intranet access and for deploying custom HTML5 apps. It allows users to access and download corporate content—without the need for VPN. BlackBerry Access offers full browser capabilities such as downloads, bookmarks and tabs. Developed using Chromium libraries, BlackBerry Access replicates common browsers such as Google Chrome – meaning users will quickly adapt to the familiar UI.

BlackBerry Access’s offline capability even allows your organization to deploy custom web apps. For employees, this means that all business content will always be accessible on the go.

Always In Touch: BlackBerry Connect

Many enterprises have invested in traditional instant messaging systems such as Microsoft Lync, Skype for Business, IBM Sametime, or Cisco Jabber. However, when taken to mobile, these apps are unencrypted and vulnerable to potential data loss. That’s where BlackBerry Connect comes in. Formerly Good Connect, it seamlessly integrates with your enterprise IM tools to provide real-time presence information, instant messaging, and real-time file share. BlackBerry Connect speeds up decision making while keeping messages protected.

Starting in early 2017, it will also provide users with intuitive group chat capabilities so users can communication even faster.

Remember the Important Stuff: BlackBerry Notes

We’ve also added a few new apps– BlackBerry Notes is one of them. A secure new note-taking solution designed for enterprise workers, it features an easy-to-use tile-view list of notes, and allows users to emphasize key points in a note by adding rich text to the note’s body. Unlike other note-taking tools, BlackBerry Notes integrates fully with Microsoft Exchange; employees can also quickly share business insights with colleagues by sending their notes as an email.

Take Control of Your To-Do List: BlackBerry Tasks

A personal task management application, the new BlackBerry Tasks allows employees to stay aligned with company projects through features such as reminders, recurring tasks, sorting options, and the ability to convert emails into tasks. Employees can keep track of their day-to-day responsibilities with ease.

Like BlackBerry Notes, BlackBerry Tasks features full integration with Microsoft Exchange so that tasks are always up to date. Never miss a deadline again.

Experience Rich Document Editing Anywhere: BlackBerry Docs To Go

BlackBerry Docs To Go is an all-in-one document solution that allows you to create, edit, and format Microsoft Office documents straight from your device. Whether you’re collaborating on a project with colleagues, making quick changes to an Excel spreadsheet, or fixing a slide on a PowerPoint presentation before a meeting, BlackBerry Docs To Go’s got you covered. You never have to go back to a desktop to complete edits. And unlike other office editing tools, it doesn’t require a network connection – you can always work offline.

Collaborate Smarter with Shared Files: BlackBerry Share

Formerly Good Share, BlackBerry Share lets your employees access, edit, and synchronize files from local and corporate file repositories such as SharePoint and Box. A powerful file management tool, BlackBerry Share enables your employees to collaborate by checking in and out files, save for offline viewing, edit, and send via email. Employees can now fully collaborate with access to shared corporate files.

At BlackBerry, it’s always been our goal to make the business world more secure, connected, and productive. Our new portfolio of business-class apps is a step in that direction. It keeps businesses more productive, is simple for IT to deploy, and provides an amazing seamless experience that users will love. With these tools, the world is your office, and everything you need for a good day’s work is right at your fingertips – no matter where you are.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/an-office-in-the-palm-of-your-hand-7-great-blackberry-mobile-apps-that-will-revolutionize-mobile-work/feed/0Small office building standing on the human palmdtlevanSmall office building standing on the human palmbb-work-calendar-attendancebb-connect-chatroombb-tasks-sortblackberry-share-file-optionsUnveiling a Comprehensive Mobile-Security Platform for the Enterprise of Thingshttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/unveiling-a-comprehensive-mobile-security-platform-for-the-enterprise-of-things/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/unveiling-a-comprehensive-mobile-security-platform-for-the-enterprise-of-things/#respondThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:42:52 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=37074/ Read More]]>

The Internet of Things is revolutionizing many things, and one of those is how we do business. Gartner says there are already more than 2 billion connected sensors, trackers and other devices used by businesses to heat their buildings, manage car traffic, heal patients, ship their cargo, and more. By 2020, there will be 7.3 billion such devices inside enterprises.

So the Enterprise of Things is very real. But this network of intelligent connections and endpoints, which helps enterprises move products from sketch to scale, also needs securing, from data theft and from hacker disruption. That’s why we’re announcing today the launch of a comprehensive, foundational platform designed for the Enterprise of Things. Our new platform, which takes a mobile-native approach to security, addresses the entire enterprise from endpoint to endpoint, is cloud-enabled, and is the culmination of our innovation and major acquisitions, creating an incredible foundation that fuels our transition to a software company.

Businesses need to confidentially and reliably transmit sensitive data between endpoints to keep people, information and goods safe. BlackBerry is uniquely qualified to address this emerging market now because of our deep experience, industry leadership and ongoing product innovation that addresses future business needs.

We’re calling the totality of this solution BlackBerry Secure. Grounded in our mobile software security platform, it enables us to help companies manage and secure their mobile devices and connected things, while securing communications for all messages and file types. For us, this will open up new markets and new customers, for whom multiple endpoint mobile security management and applications are critical. For example, our platform will help to prevent hackers from penetrating devices and computers, provide intelligence for secure supply chain communications, ensure patient confidentiality in healthcare and safeguard assets in the financial industry.

Enterprises will save money today as our platform lets IT administrators leverage their current investments, as well as provide them unified endpoint management (UEM) across all devices, apps, users, policies and operating systems, including Android for Work, Samsung KNOX, iOS, Windows 10, MacOS and BlackBerry 10), as well help replace expensive VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) platforms. It is also flexible and secure enough to accommodate employees, contractors and business partners with a BYOT (Bring Your Own Thing) policy so that they can have secure access to corporate networks and data without a VPN, as well as a consistent experience no matter what device they carry.

Meanwhile, our enterprise customers’ investments are protected. Our foundational platform is not only compatible with our current products, but is also ‘future-proofed’ to address upcoming capabilities in messaging and analytics. It will also be compatible with future applications from developers, popular third-party cloud systems, and applications like Microsoft Office 365.

In addition to holding more than 80 security certifications, BlackBerry recently ranked the highest in all six use cases of Gartner’s “Critical Capabilities for High-Security Mobility Management” report. Our security heritage is leading to an enhanced product line. BlackBerry UEM (formerly BES12) provides the granular control and visibility that IT administrators need to secure all endpoints, along with the flexibility to support a wide array of productivity and other business use cases. BlackBerry Dynamics (formerly Good Dynamics), delivers a foundation for secure enterprise mobility by offering an advanced, mature development platform and container for mobile apps that prevents data leakage. BlackBerry Workspaces, formerly WatchDox, lets workers share, edit and control their files on every device with the highest level of security due to embedded digital rights management (DRM) protection in the files.

BlackBerry 2FA, formerly Strong Authentication, lets workers replace the cost and hassle of a physical token and typing in codes by simply acknowledging a prompt on their secured mobile device. BlackBerry Enterprise Identity also smooths user logins by enabling Single Sign-on (SSO) into a variety of third-party cloud services such as Office365, Box, Dropbox, Workday and Salesforce, as well as the convenience of Mobile Zero Sign-on (MZSO), where simply unlocking the phone grants you access to services without needing to type in a password.

Developers can integrate any of the aforementioned BlackBerry services into their apps via a Platform-as-a-Service model. Our enterprise app and channel ecosystem continues to grow, with an expanding roster of partners such as Zimperium, Polaris, Swyft, Acronis and ISEC7. Finally, we’re launching a new portfolio of business-class applications of our own that are tailored for the mobile-first office. These will be available in January, and will enable today’s workers to reach new heights in productivity.

Customers currently using Good Secure EMM Suites including BES12 and WatchDox can seamlessly upgrade to their tailored BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Suite. Core components of the enhanced and renewed software portfolio will be rolled out in a phased approach over the coming weeks. The apps – Access, Connect, Notes, Share, and Tasks – will be the final step, released in January 2017.

Contact your support representative for more details.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/12/unveiling-a-comprehensive-mobile-security-platform-for-the-enterprise-of-things/feed/0l-series-overview-blog-featuremartybeardbbBusinessmen having discussion in officeVarious symbols and tablet devicesBusinessman using smartwatch.The Future of BlackBerry Deviceshttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/10/the-future-of-blackberry-devices/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/10/the-future-of-blackberry-devices/#respondMon, 03 Oct 2016 14:20:25 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=35481/ Read More]]>Last week we announced some strategic developments for our Mobility Solutions business. BlackBerry is no longer just about the smartphone, but the smart in the phone. That means that we will be focused on developing and licensing our secure device software and the BlackBerry brand. We will discontinue handset hardware development and fully leverage third parties to develop hardware and distribute and support the BlackBerry handset brand. Through this strategy, there will continue to be BlackBerry-branded devices in the market; when you see our logo it means security, from our class-leading enterprise software to devices secured by BlackBerry software.

Licensing the BlackBerry device software experience allows us to leverage our core strengths to provide secure, connected, and inherently mobile solutions. It also allows us to expand the mobility choices available to our customers by bringing BlackBerry security and productivity applications to a wider audience across multiple platforms and devices.

Although we are no longer focused on internal device hardware development, our strategy seeks to expand the mobility choices available to our customers by bringing BlackBerry security and productivity software to a wider audience across multiple platforms and devices. Fundamentally, our announcement represents a change in our approach to the mobile device supply chain, with associated market expansion for our software offerings. Our class-leading enterprise software is unaffected by today’s announcement. Recently we were proud to announce that BlackBerry ranks the highest in all six categories of Gartner’s High-Security Mobility Management Study.

This is not a new direction for BlackBerry, but a continuation of our strategy. For example, we recently made the BlackBerry Hub, Calendar, and Password Keeper applications available on the Google Play Store for use on a wide range of Android smartphones. We also integrated our smartphone software in conjunction with a hardware platform partner to release DTEK50. And, we announced a partnership with a joint venture in Indonesia, PT BB Merah Putih, to license BlackBerry secure Android software and services for devices in the Indonesia market. But we’re not stopping there: A key element of our strategy is continual development of our Mobility Solutions software products and services roadmap, including the upcoming BB 10.3.3 release, continued commitment to rapid software updates and feature development for our secure Android software platform, and continued repairs and support of in-market BlackBerry devices.

BlackBerry software remains the most secure and comprehensive way to connect people, devices, processes, and systems for today’s enterprise of things, and we’re excited to further extend our offerings in secure mobility through our licensing strategy.

We initially launched Hub+ as a free trial on Android Marshmallow, with only the Hub, Calendar, and Password Keeper available. Today, we are happy to announce the remainder of our productivity suite (Contacts, Tasks, Device Search, Notes, and Launcher) is now available to Android users for a free 30-day trial period and for just 99 cents a month.*

The BlackBerry Hub, Calendar, Password Keeper, and Launcher will continue to be available as part of a free, ad-supported offering.

Even better, we’ve officially expanded Hub+ access to smartphones running Android 5.0 Lollipop or later. We’ve also removed some of the initial requirements to allow Hub+ to run on more screen sizes, so have another look to see if your smartphone is now supported. As of today, more than 3,000 smartphone versions can run Hub+, and that number keeps growing. Note: Hub+ requires 2GB of RAM or more, and does not currently support tablets.

BlackBerry Hub

“BlackBerry at its best. Not perfect, but every update gets it closer to the smooth bb10 experience. Pinch filter is back. Keep it up, BlackBerry.”

“I reluctantly switched to Android after ages with BlackBerry. The Hub was one of the things I missed the most. Now I am happy!”

“Awesome! Allows the best part of BlackBerry to live on in Android.”

“Technology at its finest. If tracking your messages from social to email and text is important to you, nothing beats this or comes close.”

Calendar

“It’s nice to have the BlackBerry apps (some of them so far, anyway) on my Galaxy. I missed the Calendar app. Happy to have the Hub too. I guess it was inevitable with BlackBerry making the move to Android OS.”

“Great calendar…This is the best calendar available and the new widget makes seeing the current date on the home screen much easier.”

“Like the layout and simplicity of the app. I have synced all of my calendars, and it works perfectly.”

“Does a nice job, especially for the ability to dial the number and the meeting code.”

“Former BB user. Tried all of the 4+ star Android calendar apps. Didn’t love any of them. This is hands down the best calendar app on Google Play.”

Password Keeper

“Thank you!! Oh, how I’ve missed my BlackBerry features. Thanks for bringing it to Android. Love everything about BlackBerry, just couldn’t love the phones anymore. So glad it made its way to Android.”

“Like others that loved BB10 OS, I am pleased that this is now available for Android. I was reasonably happy with my previous password manager but ditched it immediately this came out for one reason, and that is, I trust BlackBerry with this kind of information.”

“Nice to have a simple, easy to use, FREE app to collect all of my passwords because I have 1000 of them. Works perfectly.”

“Does just what I need — stores my passwords, and lets me generate new passwords. It is simple to use and set up. Easy to add new passwords and to copy/paste. I had installed EnPass (which seems to be the most popular password keeper app on Android), but never really used it. YMMV, but I like the look and feel and workflow of Password Keeper more. Love this app, and I use it everyday.”

“Love it. One of BlackBerry’s best apps.”

We haven’t just introduced new apps into the Hub+ suite, though. We’ve also applied substantial updates to BlackBerry applications across the board, including Hub, Calendar, and Contacts. As requested by many of our users, we have introduced a BlackBerry Hub widget! Hub also now supports HTML signatures and SCEP/Certificate-based authentication. Some noteworthy improvements in BlackBerry Calendar include quick reminders and out-of-office availability.

To try out BlackBerry Hub+, go to the Google Play Store on your smartphone and search for BlackBerry Hub, then download the BlackBerry Hub+ Services app onto your phone. From there, you can click the Hub+ Services icon on your home screen, and tap “Apps by BlackBerry” to install the entire suite of apps or just a few of your favorites.

Note: apps may not show up in Google Play for up to 24 hours from this announcement.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/09/suite-news-blackberry-releases-five-new-apps-and-hub-subscriptions-for-android/feed/0Businesswoman using cell phone in officecseverinobbBusinesswoman using cell phone in officehub-plus-accountsblackberry-calendarblackberry-password-keeperblackberry-contactsFully Android, Super Secure: Say Hello to DTEK50, the Thinnest BlackBerry Ever [Video, Pics]http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/07/dtek50_overview_video/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/07/dtek50_overview_video/#commentsTue, 26 Jul 2016 15:16:25 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=34222/ Read More]]>You wouldn’t put money in a bank that didn’t lock its safe, or leave the doors of your home unlocked at night. Having a smartphone that doesn’t take your privacy seriously is the equivalent. Therein lies the problem with the majority of Android phones – they don’t.

At BlackBerry, security has always been in our blood, and privacy has always been a priority. That’s why DTEK50, the newest touchscreen-based addition to our secure Android line, puts how you share the details of your private life – pictures, locations, texts, and more – entirely under your control.

Our thinnest smartphone ever, DTEK50 is just 7.4mm thick. Combined with BlackBerry’s intelligent keyboard, a beautiful 5.2’’ scratch-resistant display, and a set of dazzling cameras, DTEK50’s a device that’s definitely worth getting excited about. Best of all, it’s available at a great price.

Watch the introductory video below, and when you’re done, read on to learn more about all of the features our new Android phone’s got in store.

The Best of Android, with BlackBerry’s Unique Flair

DTEK50 ships with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, combining BlackBerry’s unique security, privacy, and productivity with the full Android experience. You’ll have access to over a million Google Play apps and widgets, Google Now, and the ability to easily manage and stream from a wide range of smart devices. DTEK50 also features a number of our own enhancements:

The BlackBerry Convenience Key: With the press of a button, gain quick access to your most-used applications, tasks, and more.

Pop-Up Widgets: View any app widget by swiping up or down across the icon on your home screen and get fast, private access to information you need, when you need it.

BlackBerry Device Search: Quickly seek out files, apps, help, and more. You can also type an Instant Actions command in the search field to execute it.

Instant Actions: Perform tasks quickly and efficiently, such as making a phone call, sending an email, sending a text message, playing music, or getting directions.

Gesture Controls: With a swipe gesture, access up to three shortcuts from anywhere on your device – swipe to open an app, speed-dial a number, send a message, and more.

Beautiful, Cost-Effective, and Compact

DTEK50’s stunning to look at. In addition to being the thinnest phone we’ve ever manufactured, it sports a 5.2’’ full HD display capable of displaying 16 million colors. Made of scratch-resistant glass, the screen is treated with a specialized oil-resistant coating to protect against fingerprint smudges.

DTEK50 also sports a 13 MP rear-facing camera and an 8 MP front-facing flash camera, both equipped with a wide range of professional settings, including live color filters and manual controls.

A Superior, Intelligent Smart Keyboard

DTEK50’s smart keyboard learns how you type and uses that information to increase your typing speed and accuracy. Through the BlackBerry Intelligent Keyboard software, it provides word suggestions in up to three languages of your choice and lets you flick them into place for faster conversations. While typing, you can also swipe horizontally from left to right to delete a previous word, and swipe vertically from top to bottom to toggle between letters, numbers, and characters.

Not All Smartphones Are Equally Secure

DTEK50 is packed with security features at both the hardware and software level to protect your device from malware and malicious tampering.

Device security built in from the start: Our manufacturing process builds security into the device from the start, and we’ve taken a number of measures such as OS hardening to protect against rooting and to make it more difficult for attackers to target you.

Visibility and control of your privacy: DTEK by BlackBerry automatically monitors your OS and apps and lets you know when your privacy could be at risk – as well as when and how to improve it. With just a quick glimpse, DTEK tells you the overall security rating for your device (excellent, fair, or poor) along with suggestions for improving it. It also tracks your applications and notifies you when an app’s doing something on your device without your knowledge (taking pictures or videos, turning your microphone on, sending a text message, or accessing your contacts/location).

A Productivity-First Design

Keep your life organized with the BlackBerry Hub, an irreplaceable tool for consolidating all your communications, including email, calendar, social, or phone calls, in one place. Once you experience it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without. Features include:

Calendar Peek: Pull down within the Hub for a quick view of up to four of your upcoming calendar events, or jump straight to the calendar app.

Swipe Actions: Quickly take action on messages within Hub by swiping left or right. You can also add custom gesture controls for actions including delete, snooze, flag/clear flag, file, mute, and mark read/unread.

DTEK50 is now available tobuy in a growing number of countries – from local carriers and retailers in the U.S., Canada, and the UK – and on ShopBlackBerry.com in these and other countries for $299 USD ($429 CDN, €339, and £275). To keep up with additional global channels and countries as they’re announced, stay tuned to our DTEK50 availability blog.

Sometimes it can be very tough to let go. For BlackBerry, and more importantly for our customers, the hardest part in letting go is accepting that change makes way for new and better experiences.

When I took on the role as the GM for Devices, I spoke about three critical elements for the success of our devices business. First was expanding choice for customers. Second was leveraging our unmatched experience and capabilities in security. Third was building on the BlackBerry pedigree.

These are the tenets that help keep us focused and the reasons why we are committed to the success of both BlackBerry 10 and Android devices. To keep innovating and advancing our portfolio, we are updating our smartphone lineup with state of the art devices. As part of this, and after many successful years in the market, we will no longer manufacture BlackBerry Classic. For many years, Classic (and its BBOS predecessors) has been in our portfolio. It has been an incredible workhorse device for customers, exceeding all expectations. But, the Classic has long surpassed the average lifespan for a smartphone in today’s market. We are ready for this change so we can give our customers something better – entrenched in our legacy in security and pedigree in making the most productive smartphones.

For now, if the Classic is still your device of choice, please check with your carriers for device availability or purchase Classic unlocked online. We continue to actively support BlackBerry 10 with software updates and are on track to deliver version 10.3.3 next month with a second update to follow next year.

I’m excited for what’s to come and looking forward to giving you a new and better experience.

At BlackBerry, security is what drives us – it’s in our DNA. Our dedication to helping our clients be faster and safer has allowed us to become a leader in secure mobility. But it’s also helped us accomplish so much more.

To us, security isn’t just about corporate clients or the bottom line. The video above encompasses what inspires us to create the solutions we do, and shows why we think our work is truly important. It demonstrates the real value of security – the human value.

Our solutions keep emergency responders in touch during a crisis, no matter how dire the situation grows.

Our solutions protect the personal information of employees all over the world from those who would misuse it.

Our solutions are a lifeline. They are the guiding security force for thousands of clients. They enable secure communication for hundreds of thousands of people.

We’ve worked together with you, our clients and partners, for 30 years to build an enduring legacy of connecting and protecting the world. With your help, we’ve set the standard for dependable, secure global communication, changing countless lives in the process. We’re honored to continue this legacy for many years to come.

But that isn’t something we plan to do alone – we’d like to continue the conversation on security with you at the next annual BlackBerry Security Summit on July 19 in New York City. We’ll discuss ongoing trends and current threats in today’s enterprise security landscape. BlackBerry partners and leading security experts from multiple industries will be in attendance, and topics include the future of EMM, real-world threat management, and how to address the crisis of confidence in information security. Click here for further details.

Good morning, #TeamBlackBerry! As you may know, we recently opened a pop-up store in Manhattan, situated in Brookfield Place at 230 Vesey Street, one of New York’s premiere office complexes and shopping centers. To help promote that store, we’re also taking over Times Square today, June 29, to offer up some extra-awesome deals!

When you swing by Times Square, while dodging life-sized Elmoes and superheroes, take a moment to gaze up – you’ll see us on the billboards there, as well! Be sure to also speak to one of our BlackBerry Ambassadors, then stop by our kiosk for up to $225 off the purchase of a BlackBerry smartphone! Better yet, as part of our Summer Spectacular promotion, that purchase comes with two free accessories.

In other words, if you’re in the market for a new phone, there’s never been a better time or place to buy!

We’ll also be running several weeks of ads on TV and in taxis throughout the city. Next time you hail a Yellow Cab, be sure to keep an eye out! And let us know what you think when you do see our ads – swing back here and leave us a comment blow

The pop-up store hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. At the store, you can get your hands on PRIV, Passport, Passport Silver Edition, Classic, and Leap, all unlocked.

Our Summer Spectacular promo runs until July 12, so be sure to stop by soon – we’ll see you there!

*Offer only valid at The BlackBerry Shop at Brookfield Place for BlackBerry® Passport (black & white), BlackBerry® Passport Silver Edition and PRIV by BlackBerry® from June
21 through to July 12, 2016 at 11:59pm PST. Quantities are limited. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Offer subject to change without notice. May not be applied to
previous purchases or combined with any other offers or discounts. Discounts will be reflected at checkout. Pricing and promotions may vary by region.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/06/blackberry-takes-manhattan-with-some-awesome-deals-at-our-pop-up-store/feed/0PRIV by BlackBerry Brookfield Place IG postncgreeneBrookfieldpromoimageCelebrate Father’s Day with A Great Deal On PRIV!http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/06/celebrate-fathers-day-with-a-great-deal-on-priv/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/06/celebrate-fathers-day-with-a-great-deal-on-priv/#commentsThu, 16 Jun 2016 15:05:49 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=33655/ Read More]]>Father’s Day is almost upon us, #TeamBlackBerry! Why not celebrate the occasion with an awesome new promotional deal on PRIV?

From now until Monday, June 20 at 11.59 PM PST, our secure Android smartphone will be available unlocked through ShopBlackBerry for just $549 USD ($749 CAD)! That’s $100 USD off ($150 CAD off)– our biggest discount to date.

At BlackBerry, we’re big believers in constant improvement, whether you call it kaizen, agile development or whatever. To that end, we’ve not only rapidly integrated the companies we’ve acquired in the past year – including AtHoc, Good Technology, and WatchDox – but we’ve continued to ship significant updates to them and other members of our enterprise software and services family with no interruption.

This week, we’re announcing 7 updates to our enterprise portfolio. Read on for an overview, with links to deeper-dive blogs and news releases to learn more.

WatchDox by BlackBerry, our highly-secure file management platform, enables effortless document synchronization and sharing over multiple operating systems. This month, we’re adding a number of improvements, including Salesforce integration, in-browser document editing, and many other features to improve productivity, collaboration, administration, and development.

We are also releasing WatchDox by BlackBerry Email Protector as a standalone product, allowing your enterprise to automatically embed security and DRM controls into some or all files sent through your email gateway that endures even after they leave the firewall. And when you deploy it alongside an email Data Loss Protection (DLP) system for advanced security screening, Email Protector will enforce granular, custom DRM corresponding to existing risk profiles.

Our core EMM platform, BES12, allows secure management of mobile devices and endpoints across multiple operating systems and ownership models – all from a single console. Our v12.5 updates to BES12 On-Premises further simplify administration and deployment of Good Dynamics apps, introduce new compliance rules, and enhance support for Samsung KNOX, including support for IBM Verse e-mail hosting. For BES12 Cloud, we’ve also recently added several features designed to enhance both security and management of mobile devices, including BlackBerry Secure Connect Plus support for seamless enterprise connectivity, MDM support for OS X and app management for Windows 10.

In addition to our enhancements to BES12, we’ve made a number of improvements to our Good Dynamics mobile app management platform, introducing more Good features to Windows 10 and Mac OS X users, and enhanced support for multiple development languages such as Swift, Xamarin and PhoneGap.

We’re also adding the mobile app for the AtHoc Crisis Communications platform into Good Dynamics, while also upgrading the overall platform with features such as real-time alert rules, automated staff mustering, management alerting, and more.

We’ll soon offer two new services geared towards reducing your company’s spending on cellular data on employee-owned devices. BlackBerry WorkLife – Advanced Analytics allows you to easily monitor data usage of any Good, third-party, or custom business apps built with Good Dynamics. WorkLife – Reimbursement, meanwhile, will allow your organization to establish a clear separation between personal and corporate data costs, helping you facilitate reimbursing your employees for the use of approved business apps on iOS and Android devices.

An efficient and secure messaging system, BBM Enterprise (formerly known as BBM Protected) automatically encrypts all data, both end-to-end and in-transit for BBM messages sent between iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices. New additions to BBM Enterprise include video communication protection, and the ability to securely forward messages.

It’s always been BlackBerry’s goal to provide our customers with better, more flexible solutions. This month’s software updates allow us to take one more step in that direction, all while living up to the level of quality we’ve become known for.

Thanks to smartphones and tablets, employees are more productive than ever before, but they’re also taking risks with those devices that can threaten the security of your crucial business data and applications. If you’re concerned about balancing mobile productivity and security, don’t miss the BlackBerry Enterprise Mobility Forum live events coming to Pittsburgh, Houston, and Columbus, Ohio, in September. See solutions in action, speak to mobility and security experts, and share ideas with like-minded colleagues. Learn more and register today.

He’ll lead the charge on all aspects of the BlackBerry global devices sales organization, including field sales, carrier sales management and sales operations.

Thurber has a stellar track record as a sales executive with a deep history in technology. Immediately prior to joining BlackBerry, he was VP of worldwide sales for advanced security solutions vendor WatchGuard. Before that, he held a similar role with software security company Tripwire and headed worldwide channels and commercial sales operations at McAfee. He also held multiple positions with Cisco Systems and founded network solutions and security company, Thurber Works.

Thurber, who spoke with the Wall Street Journal today about his new role with BlackBerry, talked with Inside BlackBerry about his plans, including the types of new hires he’s looking to make.

What is your new role at BlackBerry?

Thurber: My focus is to achieve BlackBerry’s strategic priority in making the device business profitable. In this role, I oversee the global device sales organization, including field sales, carrier sales management and sales operations.

What was your most recent role before joining BlackBerry?

Thurber: Previously, I led worldwide sales at WatchGuard Technologies, a provider of integrated network security firewall products and services to small and medium organizations and distributed enterprises. At WatchGuard, I engineered a complete sales turnaround, helping the company move from declining revenue to six straight quarters of year over year growth, including the largest quarterly and annual revenue in the company’s history.

I also hail from Cisco, where I developed new go-to-market strategies to help make the company a market leader in security. Additionally, I provided business leadership in rebuilding Cisco’s entire channel organization in Japan.

I see you’re looking to add staff. What types of new hires are you looking for?

Thurber: The success of the device business is reliant not only on the quality and innovation behind the devices themselves but also in our distribution model. The goal is to be even more connected to our customers. This includes being innovative with our selling models – getting new types of partners and defining new routes to market. To help achieve this, we are adding headcount in our field sales organizations so individuals can build direct relationships with our various enterprise customers in conjunction with selling through our current and new partners. We want to ensure customers understand our roadmap and how we are developing new technologies and products to provide high levels of productivity without compromising security and privacy.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/veteran-tech-sales-exec-joins-blackberry-devices-team/feed/0thurber headshotvwalkerwritesthurber headshotMakes Sen$e: Six Reasons Businesses Should Consider BlackBerry’s New Direct Sales Programhttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/makes-sene-six-reasons-businesses-should-consider-blackberrys-new-direct-sales-program/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/makes-sene-six-reasons-businesses-should-consider-blackberrys-new-direct-sales-program/#respondMon, 18 Apr 2016 20:20:13 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=32106/ Read More]]>BlackBerry has always been in the business of making mobility easier for organizations of every size. That’s why last month, we debuted the Direct Sales Program. For the first time, business owners and IT administrators looking for a quick, cost-effective way to get unlocked BlackBerry devices in volume could come directly to us, tapping into our security expertise and gaining access to a wide range of advantages and incentives.

“We’re starting to see a very positive reaction from our customers,” says BlackBerry e-commerce product marketing manager Richard Lamb. “People are happy to hear from BlackBerry, and happy to talk to our team.”

Many new and existing BlackBerry clients all over the world are deploying or starting to plan their deployments. But what is it, exactly, that’s drawing people in? What makes our Direct Sales Program such a great option for them?

Here are six reasons enterprises are choosing to shop smarter through BlackBerry – and why you should, too.

Businesses “don’t have to worry about the long-term costs of subsidies, and they’re able to negotiate better service plans, as well,” explains BlackBerry sales representative Elliott Coulter. “This can save them anywhere from 75 to 100 dollars per device.”

Other organizations have specific needs, such as centralized deployment of mobile devices. Coulter recounts the story of a major law firm that has a big BlackBerry Classic deployment. Sourcing Classics from dozens of carriers around the world that would need to be shipped back to headquarters for unlocking and setup is a huge headache. Instead, the firm is ordering unlocked BlackBerry Classics to its headquarters, where IT staffers are setting them all up at once, and then shipping to users in their respective countries.

2. Superior Selection

Our Direct Sales representatives can help your business get its hands onto products that are difficult or impossible to find in your region. This includes device models such as BlackBerry Leap and the Passport Silver Edition, as well as accessories that local carriers and resellers may not offer. Our Direct Sales representatives have access to the full range of products BlackBerry currently has on offer.

3. A Direct Line for Support

Businesses that purchase devices directly through us are given a direct line of contact into the organization, allowing them to tap into our considerable security expertise rather than relying on searching the Internet or phoning some third-party call center. This is especially valuable for smaller enterprises, many of which lack IT expertise of their own.

“When customers contact the direct handheld sales team, they’re dealing with BlackBerry experts,” says Coulter. “We work with all OSes and brands, and can get answers much more quickly than if they were going through a third party. Small businesses are used to trolling support forums or going to Google for answers – we connect them directly with a product manager, who can assist them with any problem they encounter.”

For example, a police department that Coulter worked with called in with several questions regarding two-factor authentication. The department was able to get answers far quickly and accurately than through other means.

4. Fast Delivery and Deployment

When purchasing through a third-party, there’s the potential for a significant delivery lag. They may require time to prepare your order for shipment, or need to order additional devices themselves. This can be an issue, especially you’ve an urgent need for those devices – for instance, if you’re purchasing replacements for damaged, lost, or stolen phones.

“Since we work directly with suppliers and warehouses, we’re able to ship devices to our clients faster, and for free,” explains sales manager Christine Lake. “Delivery always occurs within three to five days. We can also provide up-to-date tracking information, if it’s required.”

One customer of Lake’s called in on a Friday, in desperate need of devices for his organization. After confirming the order, she worked directly with a warehouse to ship them out immediately. He had them in his hands and ready to deploy the following Tuesday – just two business days.

5. Deeply Personalized Service for Customers

There are many organizations that already have close ties with BlackBerry through our cross-platform suite of management and security software. Our sales program provides extra value for these organizations. Since they already have an established relationship with BlackBerry, we have unique insight into their mobility needs – insight that we draw on when helping them plan their deployment.

One German bank based in New York reached out to the Direct Sales team to express an interest in making a purchase. Since their enterprise account manager had recently joined the team, he handled the purchase. With his existing knowledge of the company, he was able to provide them advice on what devices would best suit their needs, and quickly set them up with a private store where they could directly make high-volume purchases.

6. Superior Security and Productivity

BlackBerry devices have a well-earned reputation for being some of the most secure on the market, as well as the most productive. That goes double for the unlocked devices available from our Direct Sales program. In addition to our top-notch tech support, our regular software and OS updates always arrive first onto unlocked devices available from Direct Sales and ShopBlackBerry. That can be weeks earlier than to phones that are locked or subsequently unlocked.

Many current and potential customers across multiple industries have turned to BlackBerry for the security and quality of our devices. One client in particular, a construction company on Canada’s West Coast, is even in the process of changing their mobility environment from Samsung/iPhone to PRIV. Currently, they’ve deployed 50 devices, with plans to expand to 200.

**

Our Direct Sales program is only a month old, but is already attracting scores of clients both new and old. These customers are working with us for many reasons – better cost of ownership, ease of delivery, and the benefits of joining with a business that has decades of experience in enabling secure productivity in the enterprise space. Contact our Smartphone Business Sales Team today, and join their ranks.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/makes-sene-six-reasons-businesses-should-consider-blackberrys-new-direct-sales-program/feed/0stack of hundreds squarencgreeneStack of one hundred dollar billsWoman signing for urgent deliveryHey Canadians: PRIV On Sale for $299.99 At These TWO Carriershttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/hey-canadians-priv-on-sale-now-for-299-99-at-this-carrier/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/hey-canadians-priv-on-sale-now-for-299-99-at-this-carrier/#respondFri, 15 Apr 2016 07:10:23 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=30891/ Read More]]>As we’ve said before, the best thing about being part of #TeamBlackBerry is that you hear about awesome deals and special offers before anyone else, like our Great February Deals or Wonderful Winter Deals.

To that end, here is another great announcement. For a limited time, two of our valued partners, Bell Canada and Rogers are offering PRIV for only C$299.99. This price is only available for a limited time, and only by signing up for a 2-year term through Bell or Rogers (it’s also available from Telus, other retailers and ShopBlackBerry).

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/hey-canadians-priv-on-sale-now-for-299-99-at-this-carrier/feed/047ncgreenePRIVThe Votes Are In: PRIV Beats Out 15 Other Smartphones in Tech Mag Readers’ Pollhttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/the-votes-are-in-priv-beats-out-15-other-smartphones-in-tech-mag-readers-poll/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/the-votes-are-in-priv-beats-out-15-other-smartphones-in-tech-mag-readers-poll/#commentsThu, 07 Apr 2016 23:24:29 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=31706/ Read More]]>The BlackBerry PRIV is one formidable piece of hardware. Since launch, positive feedback for our first Secure Android Smartphone has continued to pour in from major publications and reviewers as well as regular consumers. Professionals ranging from aerospace engineers to TV chefs swear by it as their daily driver, and it recently received first place in Red Dot’s 2016 Product Design Awards.

Now, PRIV has one more claim to fame. Yesterday, popular online tech magazine Tom’s Guide announced it as the winner of its 2016 Smartphone Madness Competition. Modeled on the NCAA ‘March Madness’ Basketball tournament, the contest pits the 16 top smartphones on the market against one another in a series of one-on-one rounds, urging users to vote on which device they love the most.

Even with heavy hitters like the Samsung Galaxy S7, Apple iPhone 6S, and Google Nexus 6P in the running for this year, PRIV emerged victorious.

“PRIV won the final round of Smartphone Madness, capturing 69% of the vote,” writes Philip Michaels of Tom’s Guide. “That was enough to propel BlackBerry’s first Android phone past the Alcatel Idol 4 and 4S, which finished with 31 percent. The finals completed a dominant run by the PRIV, which never got less than 69% of the vote in its four match-ups against other top devices.” (PRIV also defeated the Sony Xperia X, the Google Nexus 6P and 5X, and the HTC One A9)

“As we noted in our review of the phone, the PRIV brought a more modern Android OS to the features that helped BlackBerry dominate the smartphone world prior to the iPhone’s arrival – a slide-out physical keyboard, robust productivity apps, and strong security,” added Michaels.

]]>http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/the-votes-are-in-priv-beats-out-15-other-smartphones-in-tech-mag-readers-poll/feed/1S-Madness16-cover-BlackBerry_Priv_WINNER squarencgreeneS-Madness16-cover-BlackBerry_Priv_WINNER squareS-Madness16-Bracket-FINALPRIV beauty shot with dark wallpaperStarting Today, Enjoy the PRIVilege of Android Privacy at a Reduced Pricehttp://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/starting-today-enjoy-the-privilege-of-privacy-at-a-reduced-price/
http://blogs.blackberry.com/2016/04/starting-today-enjoy-the-privilege-of-privacy-at-a-reduced-price/#respondTue, 05 Apr 2016 16:19:35 +0000http://blogs.blackberry.com/?p=31634/ Read More]]>Good morning, #TeamBlackBerry! For the past few months, we’ve worked hard to make PRIV available to as many of our devoted fans as possible. To date, we’ve launched in thirty-four countries around the world.

Now, we’ve got a different sort of announcement to make. In order to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy our first Secure Android Smartphone, we’re reducing the price. From Tuesday, April 5, PRIV is now available on ShopBlackBerry for US$649, £529 and €729 – permanently*.

PRIV launched last week on Verizon in the U.S. and with carriers in Israel, while continuing to turn the heads of our media friends. It was recently recognized by Business Insider as one of the top 20 smartphones for 2016 (as were our BlackBerry 10-based Passport and Classic devices).

Toby Shapshak from Stuff magazine calls the PRIV both “excellent” and “impressive.” “BlackBerry has captured the best of their operating system – the messaging hub, its excellent predictive texting and security – and built their renowned security into Android.” Shakshak also calls the slide-out keyboard “clever” and appealing to fans, and the PRIV’s security “powerful.”

Meanwhile, Chuck Miller from the Albany Times-Union newspaper also delights in the “PRIV’s superior security features…Chuck like lots.” He’s also happy with PRIV’s privacy-protecting features such as DTEK. “Dealing with telemarketers and robocallers and spambots,” he writes. “PRIV may have my solution to that little issue (rubbing hands together and laughing maniacally).”

Finally, one of our fans wrote an article, ‘Why I Won’t Give Up My BlackBerry,’ that we found on LinkedIn. Magnus Jern is President at London-based mobile services company, DMI International, and also an experienced entrepreneur and investor. Jern writes his relationship with BlackBerry has “been a love affair since I first got my blue Blackberry in 2004 (the 6720 with a chrome screen which I’m definitely not nostalgic about).”

Jern just recently made the switch to PRIV. Prior to PRIV, Jern carried 3 phones: a BlackBerry for work, and an iPhone and Samsung for his social life.

Jern’s always preferred BlackBerry devices for productivity, citing the “lightning fast” email and calendar, full-day battery, one-handed use, “robust” hardware that “has never failed me in the last 5 years,” and many other factors for work.

However, Jern says, “With a big screen, a keyboard and running Android available since December there might be an-all-in-one-device [in his PRIV]”

More than 110 commentators shared their thoughts on Jern’s blog. Below’s a sample:

I’d be remiss if I didn’t add some recent positive comments on Twitter, too.